The Pashtun Trajectory: From the Colonially Constructed Notion on ‘Violent’ Pashtun Tribe to ‘Non Violent’ Pashtun Tahafuz Movement

Abstract Pashtuns have been subjected to the colonially constructed representation of themselves which is grounded on certain generalisations and stereotypes that were framed and propagated during the time of British military encounters with the frontier tribes, residing in Afghanistan and present day Pakistan’s frontier region. The oriental representation of the Pashtuns in western academic writings is the result of the vast literature that were produced based on the experiences of British military expeditions against the so-called tribal Pashtuns. Although throughout history there have been instances of non-violent movements initiated by the Pashtuns, the persistence of colonial knowledge has made it impossible to deconstruct the notion surrounding Pashtuns as ‘inherently ferocious’ and ‘violent’ in nature from the popular conscience. In such an environment the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a non-violent human rights movement in Pakistan, is trying to present a counter narrative to the image of ‘Violent Pashtuns’ from the popular discourse at present. This research critically analyses the representation of Pashtuns in both past and the contemporary literature and other popular media which help in building narratives and deciding on the policies of the state (Pakistan) and other (religious, social or political) organisations towards this group. It highlights the importance of rising beyond the orientalist discourse to focus more on local narratives in understanding about the Pashtuns and their problems.